This photograph gives a vivid depiction of the reality of sneezing – and it’s not a pretty sight!

Each sneeze creates around 40,000 tiny droplets that may contain viruses or bacteria, which can lead to airborne transmission of illnesses if people come into contact with them.

Even if they cover their mouth with their hands, germs can be spread when people touch surfaces – the handrail on the bus for example – so it’s not a bad idea to wash your hands with soap and water to reduce your chances of catching the flu.

If you’ve found yourself coughing and sneezing lately, you’re probably not alone, but please – keep it to yourself, and cover your mouth!

Wellcome Images is one of the world’s richest and most unusual collections, with themes ranging from medical and social history to contemporary healthcare and biomedical science. All our images are available in digital form and many are free to use non-commercially under the terms of a Creative Commons licence.

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